BBQ rekindles a community's spirit

Members of the Flaxmere Boxing Academy gave a demonstration at councillor Henare O'Keefe's, pictured, right, mobile BBQ, Tunutunu, in Flaxmere's Baker St yesterday. Photo / Warren Buckland

A Flaxmere street came alive last night, with councillor Henare O'Keefe's mobile BBQ warming the hearts and stomachs of local residents.

About 50 people, including police and Maori Wardens, turned up on Baker St for a cooked sausage and a friendly chat, while kids from the Flaxmere Boxing Academy demonstrated pad work on the road.

The roving BBQ, known as Tunutunu, makes appearances on streets where residents report issues with crime or unrest.

Mr O'Keefe said the regular cook-ups were aimed at injecting goodwill into the neighbourhood and galvanising the community.

"Flaxmere's 25/7, it never stops," he said. "You've got to go beyond the bricks and mortar."

Tunutunu is made possible by the U-turn Trust, of which he is the founder. Based at Te Aranga Marae, the trust is a non-profit organisation that offers social services to Flaxmere residents, including a community vegetable garden and the Flaxmere Boxing Academy.

The head coach of the academy is Craig McDougall, community stalwart and Hawke's Bay Today's Person of the Year for 2013.